The closest, easiest way to enter Namibia from here is to check out of Botswana at Kasane's riverside immigration post, then simply cross the Chobe River to Impalila Island on the other side. Next is a short hike up a rocky path to the Police/immigration office on the island, to receive one oversized passport stamp, then back down again to your boat.
Last weekend we were heading over to Namibia in this way, as we'd been invited to spend some time with our friends at Ichingo River Lodge. This is one of my favourite places ever, hidden away in a secluded part of the island's shoreline...
Passport formalities dispensed with, it was time to re-join our driver in the boat - finally free to disappear down the hidden channel edged with reeds, and low-hanging riverine trees.
This picture shows the hidden channel - the dark area which looks like the opening of a cave...
Here the river current starts to accelerate, quickening its pace to eventually meet up with the faster water rushing along in the channel next door. It's a magical world of racing rapids, dark green vegetation, white sands and glinting water. Birds and monkeys inhabit the treetops...It could be a million miles away from home, despite the fact that bits of Kasane are still visible way over the river!
Me sitting on the deck, looking out over the river
Our afternoon was spent out on the water...two men fly-fishing for tigerfish, me keeping out of their way, and trying not to talk too much! Just give me a corner in a boat, some sunblock, a couple of cold ciders, a book and a camera, then I'm happy (and fairly quiet)!
Zipping down the rapids in the jet boat was a new experience for me! Not exactly white water rafting, but this turbulent stretch is such a contrast to the tranquility of the rest of the Chobe river...
I hardly had time to register where we'd ended up, before a "rock" suddenly transformed itself into a none too welcoming, fast approaching hippo! Moving further down to avoid the hippo traffic, we drifted around in the pools below the rapids, floating amidst swirling circular eddies, spiralled with slowly spinning patterns of foam...
Later we shot back up the rapids, to spend the last few hours of daylight in the more tranquil reaches of the river. Up high, the almost full moon turned from pure white to silver...
while on the other side, the sun dipped below the horizon in its usual extravagant way!
Fly fishing Sunset!
Of course, no better way to end the evening than solving the problems of the world over a few after-dinner glasses of port with our friend, Ralph!
Early next morning , while sunrise glowed over the treetops, Trumpeter Hornbills breakfasted in the fig tree overhead - flinging down fruits and pips, and bouncing heavily onto the tent roof! I lazily decided not to join in the early fishing trip, and simply enjoyed some "verandah time" perched above the river, alone with the rustling leaves and the sound of the rapids...
View from the verandah - boat visible down below
How else to fill in some Sunday hours? late morning brunch, lying around on the warm white sand, reading and falling asleep in a squashy sofa on a deck overlooking the river, enjoying some good company around the bar counter...until all good things come to an end! Eventually it was time to swop countries again, accumluate a few more passport stamps and trail bits of fine white sand back into our everyday life...
